Single Side with wire link top layer ?

David Moodie wrote:

Anton Schoultz wrote:

Is there a way to get Eagle to auto route as a single sided pcb (one

layer) with straight wire links as the "top layer" ?

I can get single sided board easily enough by setting top layer to "N/A"

I have tried fiddling with the routing parameters to try and get the

top layer as straights only, but need to minimize no of "track" on the

top layer.

 

 

The closest that I can come at this point is to auto route single

layer, then manually go and add tracks and vias for the wire links - a

painful process.

 

Using 4.16r2.

 

Thanks in advance

Anton Schoultz

 

Generally, on all but the simplest circuits, to produce a board with

good immunity and emissions specs on a single sided layout requires very

careful routing, and I would never let an autorouter near a single (or

double sided) layout.  Routing of gnd/current return traces is always

critical for single and double sided layouts.

 

Every time I see someone looking to autoroute single and double sided

PCB's I really feel they are missing out on actually learning anything

or showing any understanding about good PCB layout.

 

Having said that I'd recommend your first approach. Route as a double

sided board with a high cost factor for the top (wire link) layer.

 

Just because the autorouter puts a bend in the wire doesn't mean you

have to.  There is always a straight line between the start and end

points- or do you only want wires in the vertical and horizontal

planes?  What is you criteria for only having straight lines on the top

layer and why is it so important?

 

cheers

 

David

Hi David

I thought Id like to pop in to this topic even though you have said it all.

But to clearify why some people wants to make single sided boards is the

simple fact that many hobbyist starts right here either by using

euroboards or by etching ones own single sided board. Then one can not

always ensure that one is able to route everything on one single side,

but one would be required to do some strapping. If the auto router can

give you the least amount of strapping possible (with straight lines

which looks most pretty on the component side) then why not.

For hobyist and some prototype makers and "small budget indeed" hobyist

the best gift would actually be an autorouter and grid setup feature

which simulates an euroboard. Like it or not. For companies or advance

hobyist it might look like a vast but the need is still there for

someone. Thats was where I started my self before gradually the

knowledge and selftrust grown to be able to make professional looking

products/layouts.

I do not think they are "missing out" on the learning process, but

sometimes one need to learn to walk (i.e. make some electronics that

works) before one can climb the mountains (i.e. making perfect PCB

layouts with perfect electronics). And sometimes the first steps takes

longer time to learn than learning to run when you already knows how to

walk.

I am sure Anton know aboute these facts that for a good comercial

product every inch of your schematics and PCB must have been

investigated several times to ensure the best possible product but

sometimes "quick and dirty" is more than you ask for.

breg

Vidar(Z)

David Moodie wrote:

Anton Schoultz wrote:

Is there a way to get Eagle to auto route as a single sided pcb (one

layer) with straight wire links as the "top layer" ?

I can get single sided board easily enough by setting top layer to "N/A"

I have tried fiddling with the routing parameters to try and get the

top layer as straights only, but need to minimize no of "track" on the

top layer.

 

 

The closest that I can come at this point is to auto route single

layer, then manually go and add tracks and vias for the wire links - a

painful process.

 

Using 4.16r2.

 

Thanks in advance

Anton Schoultz

 

Generally, on all but the simplest circuits, to produce a board with

good immunity and emissions specs on a single sided layout requires very

careful routing, and I would never let an autorouter near a single (or

double sided) layout.  Routing of gnd/current return traces is always

critical for single and double sided layouts.

 

Every time I see someone looking to autoroute single and double sided

PCB's I really feel they are missing out on actually learning anything

or showing any understanding about good PCB layout.

 

Having said that I'd recommend your first approach. Route as a double

sided board with a high cost factor for the top (wire link) layer.

 

Just because the autorouter puts a bend in the wire doesn't mean you

have to.  There is always a straight line between the start and end

points- or do you only want wires in the vertical and horizontal

planes?  What is you criteria for only having straight lines on the top

layer and why is it so important?

 

cheers

 

David

Hi David

I thought Id like to pop in to this topic even though you have said it all.

But to clearify why some people wants to make single sided boards is the

simple fact that many hobbyist starts right here either by using

euroboards or by etching ones own single sided board. Then one can not

always ensure that one is able to route everything on one single side,

but one would be required to do some strapping. If the auto router can

give you the least amount of strapping possible (with straight lines

which looks most pretty on the component side) then why not.

For hobyist and some prototype makers and "small budget indeed" hobyist

the best gift would actually be an autorouter and grid setup feature

which simulates an euroboard. Like it or not. For companies or advance

hobyist it might look like a vast but the need is still there for

someone. Thats was where I started my self before gradually the

knowledge and selftrust grown to be able to make professional looking

products/layouts.

I do not think they are "missing out" on the learning process, but

sometimes one need to learn to walk (i.e. make some electronics that

works) before one can climb the mountains (i.e. making perfect PCB

layouts with perfect electronics). And sometimes the first steps takes

longer time to learn than learning to run when you already knows how to

walk.

I am sure Anton know aboute these facts that for a good comercial

product every inch of your schematics and PCB must have been

investigated several times to ensure the best possible product but

sometimes "quick and dirty" is more than you ask for.

breg

Vidar(Z)